WWE embroiled in Oba Femi storyline dispute and past Kobe Bryant joke firing

On the July 13, 2026 episode of WWE Raw, Paul Heyman publicly criticized wrestler Oba Femi for relinquishing his guaranteed World Heavyweight Championship match at SummerSlam in order to face Brock Lesnar. Heyman called Femi’s decision “stupid” and accused him of being obsessed with Lesnar, arguing that the title opportunity would have been lost regardless.

In a separate incident from 2012, WWE terminated manager Abraham Washington after he made an on‑air remark likening wrestler Titus O'Neil’s performance to Kobe Bryant’s 2003 Colorado hotel assault case. The comment was deemed inappropriate, leading to Washington’s release and a public apology from WWE. Washington later blamed the organization’s leadership for the decision.

Both episodes illustrate WWE’s handling of on‑air controversies involving talent and commentary.